Mistakes are part of being human. Nobody died, got seriously injured, or anything of the sort, and an apology was issued so I don't really see why harsh words must come about.

The thread is gone, but you have in your head the essence of what you said. I have lost work before, important work that was hours upon hours of writing and researching and cross referencing. I had to re-write it. If wasn't the same, but the essence was still there. Another thread can be made about the vendor, it won't be the same but it can be better. Ideas can be more concise, etc.

I hope you stay, Silken. I hope others can forgive and move past this. Don't let a photo-thief drive a wedge in the middle of our community.

Silken - you said it was a mistake right from the start, and as far as I'm concerned, that was good enough. Being a forum moderator, especially for one as active as this, is a TOUGH job, and I thank you for volunteering.

My "no right to free speech" comment was addressed at others that might not have agreed with me.

Silken, please reconsider. Anything new comes with a learning curve. Your intentions were honorable.

For Silken:
 

Goodness, thanks so much for all the kind words from so many of you. This whole business upset me so much that I couldn't sleep last night and have not been too happy ever since. I have never known the feeling of being the subject of such anger and hostility before. Your support sure helps.

The reason I have been on this forum for nearly 8 years is for pleasure. To look at gorgeous photos and feel a bit green, to show off my own blooms, to help others when they need info or advice and to receive some help when I need it.

I was just floored to see the anger and energy put into berating a person for an entire day. And it likely would be still going on if I hadn't resigned.

So I don't think I am the right person to moderate this forum. This one burned me pretty bad. I do feel bad ditching the few moderators that are left. But maybe some of the ones who thought they were so smart and had so much time and energy to put into this nasty thread could step to the plate and offer to be a moderator.

As for the rest of you, I have enjoyed your company very much. Keep growing and enjoying your orchids. Keep the conversations interesting and enlightening, but friendly. To me that is the point of a forum like this.

Silken, I was very busy today and did not see this until this late hour. I am so sorry to discover that you were bullied into resigning. All I can say is...Wow. People certainly know how to be unkind...and to be proud of it. How sad.

I hope you will stay with us for I would really miss you here. Maybe take a break if you need one but please do not make it a long one.

I am reminded of a poem whose author is anonymous:

"Don’t Quit."

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

- Author Unknown.

(Some have tried to claim this poem but it is an old one and I've seen it long before the dates that were given for it being supposedly written. When I first saw it, it was author unknown, even then)

I saw the first few posts from this thread (and of course the deleted thread). While I agree the old thread should have stayed, removing it was an honest, well-intended act.

Silken, volunteering to be a moderator is an important but thankless job. You should not be bullied into stepping down, and I hope you continue as moderator. Thank you for doing what you do to keep Orchidboard working for everyone.

I am officially bullied into submission.

I sincerely hope Silken and Ron remain on the Orchid Board, each has been an asset to all of us. I love seeing Rons post and his gorgeous photography, Silken is a valued member and has been a great moderator. Everyone makes mistakes, my Dad used to tell me as a kid, that's why they put erasers on lead pencils.

I understand Rons frustration and I no longer purchase from this eBay vendor though he was a favorite. I also understand how this mistake Silken made has upset members. Silken has apologized and I feel she is truly sorry, let's accept her apology and hope she stays with us.

Please Silken & Ron don't let this drive you away from the board.

We are on equal footing then.